7998-R1_ML&P_Hollis_2020-2021_AnnualReport_Web

The election of the new Select Board member led to a requested recount of votes due to a very close margin. New Select Board member Mary Hoffman started her new role on August 1, 2020. Welcome aboard, Mary! Since then, the Select Board has been researching to determine who is best suited to be a contractor to build a new Hollis Town Hall, under the leadership of member John “Jack” Rogala. After much consideration and review of many contractors, Northeast Civil Engineers was selected in 2020. A group of residents and Town employees helped the Select Board form the New Town Hall Committee and are meeting as a group to determine the site and footprint of the new building. They are also working with an architectural firm brought in by Northeast Civil Engineers to develop the building that would proudly represent Hollis. In July 2020, the residents of Hollis voted to have the New Town Hall located on Town owned property. Hollis voters also approved the Town to establish a protected account for the sales revenue of unused town-owned properties that will be put towards the new Town Hall. A revision of the Ordinance for the Disposal of Tax Acquired Property was voted on and accepted by residents in June 2021 which allowed the Select Board to use a real estate agent or sealed bids on Town properties available for sale. The Select Board completed, with the assistance of the Planning Board, a Marijuana Business Ordinance which was voted and approved by residents in June 2021. Preliminary review and acceptance of all applications for these businesses by the Code Enforcement Officer was postponed until August 2021 so that forms could be developed and utilized. A revision of the Zoning Ordinance requirements for both marijuana businesses and the land requirements for clustered subdivisions were also updated in the June 2021 warrant. Select Board member Mary Hoffman took the lead of future planning, evaluation and utilization of the Town’s Salmon Falls Library and privately owned Hollis Public Library, by establishing the ad hoc Library Committee in June of 2021. Many of the Town’s policies were reviewed and amended throughout the year. Review is ongoing and recommendations are welcome. The Conservation Commission remains active with recruiting not only new members but a new Chairperson who continue to work on updating trails and developing an open space plan for use in the future. The Select Board wants to recognize that our Parks and Recreation Department coordinated some terrific events for our Town during the pandemic. They hosted Easter with the Easter Bunny and bags for all children to help them celebrate the holiday. In addition, the “Deck the Hauls” Christmas event invited local residents and businesses to participate by decorating their cars and vehicles in a holiday fashion. Mr. and Mrs. Claus attended the event and greeted visitors as they circled the driveway around the Town

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